Have we fogotten local races? (Education Week), Teachers’ Union rift in DC (Washington Post), Parents assist in neighborhood charter school development (Jefferson County Journal) and more in today’s Morning Shots at www.edspresso.com…

Schools Chiefs Scrap for Ballot Spotlight
Education Week, MD, September 23, 2008
Despite heightened interest in presidential politics this election year, “down ballot” races such as the state chiefs’ contests in Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Washington still won’t get much attention

Unions Are Alive and Well in Many Charter Schools
New York Teacher, NY, September 22, 2008
Contrary to conventional wisdom, unions and charter schools are not mutually exclusive. In fact, unions are increasingly cropping up — and thriving — in charter schools around the nation.

Teachers’ Union Chief Cites Mistrust
Washington Post, D.C., September 24, 2008
Parker said many older teachers believe that they have been targeted for dismissal by Rhee, who has proposed a two-tiered salary plan that would pay many instructors more than $100,000 annually in pay and performance bonuses.

Families Help Create Neighborhood Charter School in City
Jefferson County Journal, MO, September 23, 2008
This year, it became a Montessori charter school sponsored by Saint Louis University. Any parent can stop by during the course of the day and they often do as most live nearby, said Michelle Marshall, the school’s family support coordinator.

Technically, the Best
Rome News-Tribune, GA, September 23, 2008
For the moment, however, Greater Romans should happily accept the enhanced opportunities that their children and grandchildren are being given, both at the new charter school and college seminars.

Let’s You and Him Fight Over School Vouchers
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, September 23, 2008
Johnson, currently the Senate president pro tem, has seized on the voucher issue as a likely ticket to the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2010.

Bonuses Given at Schools That Failed
New York Times, NY, September 24, 2008
The Department of Education explained the apparent contradiction in its judgments largely as a question of short-term versus long-term goals.

Charters Win $17.6 Million Grant
The Times-Picayune, LA, September 24, 2008
As the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar federal grant, the Algiers Charter Schools Association is poised to expand and improve its teacher-enrichment program, potentially benefiting more than 200 educators over the next four years.

David Dunn Tapped as Director of Texas Charter Schools Association
Austin Business Journal, TX, September 23, 2008
The Texas Charter Schools Association officially launched on Tuesday with a focus on helping foster effective charter schools statewide.

Governor Tim Pawlenty Unveils Education Reform Initiatives
WDIO-TV, MN, September 23, 2008
Teachers must be held to a higher standard, according to Governor Tim Pawlenty’s education reform. He was in Duluth on Tuesday to reveal his initiatives that will be up to the legislature to consider next year. But it appears– not without controversy.